Adkins, 47, took the club from League One to the Premier League with successive promotions.

Pochettino, 40, will take charge against Everton on Monday.

The Argentine left Spanish side Espanyol in November and will lead training on Saturday for the first time.

Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese
said in a statement:
"This decision has been made with the long-term ambitions of Southampton Football Club in mind.

Adkins' Southampton record

Played:
124

Won:
67

Drawn:
25

Lost:
32

"Whilst we acknowledge the contribution Nigel has made during the past two years, for the club to progress and achieve our long-term targets a change was needed.

"Mauricio is a well-respected coach of substantial quality who has gained a reputation as an astute tactician and excellent man manager.

"I have every confidence that he will inspire our talented squad of players to perform at the highest possible level."

Pochettino played for Espanyol and Paris Saint-Germain as a defender during his career, and won 20 caps for Argentina, fouling Michael Owen at the 2002 World Cup to give England a penalty which was converted by David Beckham.

Pochettino said: "This is the kind of opportunity that any coach would relish. Southampton is a club with great heritage, and an even more exciting future.

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Adkins' Saints march up to Premier League

"There is a clear vision to take the club to a new era of sustained success in the Premier League, and beyond, which I'm delighted to be part of."

Pochettino took charge of Espanyol at the age of 36 in January 2009, and managed a best finish of eighth in La Liga in 2010-11.

He left the club by mutual consent at the end of November 2012, with an overall record of 49 wins from 146 league matches.

Shocking behaviour from another unrealistic owner who on the strength of this move appears to value 'style' over substance. And what of the man taking over? Where is his integrity in talking with an employer over a job which at the time wasn't even advertised! Shame on them both. I have a soft spot for Southampton but wish nothing good to come of this. And Ben Smith from BBC-don't try to justify!

2601 ChrisIt's a surprise for Saint's fans that's for sure.We've stuck with him through thick and thin and this is how we get rewarded for our support!If it was going to happen it should've been seven or eight games ago, NOT now.I really cannot see how this is for the benefit of the club.Mr Bear

Why is this a surprise to people? Remember when Adkins talked about 'a parting of ways' after saints gained promotion? Remember his insistence that saints would play 4-3-3 (supposedly a club ethos through the entire system) despite never actually doing so? Remember his weird man in the glass poem that he did after this? He'd known this was on the cards for a long time.

This is another example of a desperate PL club making a knee jerk reaction. Clubs below LOLerpool in the PL can't expect a different man in charge to be the answer to all there problems. Look at the teams that have kept there manager for a long time: Man U Arsenal Everton, look at how successful they all are. Everton not as much but they never fight relegation do they? And on a limited budget too

The stupidity of people investing millions of pounds in football clubs is amazing. Even if this manager is a success that still won't change the fact that the most likely path to premiership survival this season would have been to keep Atkinson ahead of any other manager in world football. What you do in the summer is another story.

This Argentinian Pinoccio said in his press conference that he watches Premier League on tv. This means that I am better qualified to manage Saints AND I speak EnglishHe has a poor record in management having only finished near the bottom of Spanish leagueIf he is so well known in Europeon football how come no-one has heard of him?I predict he will be gone before May

If someone can find the time, ask Southampton FC, via a Freedom of Information Act request, when Pochettino's UKBA visa / work permit (I don't believe he's an EU citizen so would need one) was applied for. That answer will be very informative.

I still cant believe we have lost such a great manager. Nigel Adkins will be snapped up by another lucky club. All we can do is say thanks for all you did, it was incredible and the very best of luck to you NA. The team still needs us so we have to live with it now, however hard and hope that things carry on going as well as they have been.COYR!

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